The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: tquieng on August 03, 2009, 10:37:15 PM

Title: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: tquieng on August 03, 2009, 10:37:15 PM

I am looking to buy one but my gun shop told me they break especially the trigger and can not shoot more than 5oo rounds to it.
I want a gun that is reliable and tough and can take 2000 round without breaking.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: tracker on August 03, 2009, 11:20:31 PM

Your gun shop is misinformed; there are owners who have fired
thousands of rounds without a malfunction. However, if you are
only looking for reliability, durability, and longevity, buy a Glock.
I have never heard of a "trigger" problem with the Rohrbaugh.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: CaptBW on August 04, 2009, 09:21:00 AM

What he said.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: Richard S on August 04, 2009, 11:01:59 AM

I second the remarks of Tracker and the Captain. I've been carrying and shooting my R9 (No. 132) for over five years. There's nothing fragile about it. In fact, I consider it to be the finest pocket pistol yet produced.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/SeecampRohrbaughinHedleyHolsters-1.jpg)

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: sdlsaginaw on August 04, 2009, 03:19:48 PM

I'm not sure where your gun shop is getting his mis-information.  They are well-built and the trigger is great for a DAO.  The only trigger issue I can think of would be the spring popping off from loose grip screws, but that's generally just a matter of Loctite if you experience it.

They DO have certain quirks, not because of a lack of quality but because they are shooting a 9mm cartridge in a tiny and light pistol that fits in your pocket.

The 9mm cartridge beats up the recoil spring which needs to be changed about every 200 rounds.  The spring is only $5, and you're not going to blow through 200 rounds all that fast (your palm won't let you).  Maybe someday a spring will be made that lasts longer, but for now it's the best technology will provide.

They can be finicky with ammo types.  Stick with whats proven on this forum and it's a non-issue.

They can jam if you don't hold them tight ("limp wristing").  Since they are light, they rely more on you holding them firm than a heavy pistol.  Mine has only had 3 jams, all due to limp wristing and eliminated after using a firm grip.

They come with a lifetime warranty.  How could the factory do this if the guns were unreliable?

The R9 pushes the envelope.  Your only options to avoid these quirks are to downsize caliber (such as a .380), or upsize the pistol (adding weight and/or size).

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: yankee2500 on August 04, 2009, 06:56:16 PM

Well said sd, I have seen no reports of the pups breaking or being fragile. I did a lot of reading and research before buying mine and read good reviews and positive reports about the R9s.
John

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: slashsplat on August 05, 2009, 03:17:34 AM

Absurd mis-information.  Nothing delicate about this fine pistol.  Once you appreciate its requirements, it is totally reliable.  Keep a fresh spring, use the right ammo, hold it correctly, and it does what it is designed for.

I own three Glocks and love them.  But I ALWAYS carry the R9s - ALWAYS.  For fun on the range, Glock it.  For protection, R9 in the pocket.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: kjtrains on August 05, 2009, 09:23:16 AM

I second Slashsplat's comments and others as well.  Follow the care of the R9 in the manual and use the recommmended ammo on this forum; those are the keys to success.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: Carter on August 05, 2009, 09:31:09 AM

I'm surprised that a gun dealer would be so ignorant as to confuse a maintenance interval with "failure".

The only thing the Rohrbaugh gives up to durability is the spring it HAS to use. The technology and metals today do not yet allow more durability from a very small spring in this application.
However, the spring does hold up for a few hundred rounds (it's more than 200 now I think... more like a recommended change every 500 rounds) considering the pounding it takes in so small a travel and having to handle 9mm ammo.

But at $5 each, they're really cheap compared to the ammo you're going to shoot (what's the latest price for 500 rounds of self-defense ammo?).
When I bought my R9s, I bought 5 extra springs at the same time just to have them on hand.
Considering the intended use of the pistol and the fact that I'm on the wrong side of 55, I'm thinking that those 5 springs will last me a "lifetime".

You mention that: "I want a gun that is reliable and tough and can take 2000 round without breaking. "
I have to say; no one can accuse you of being very picky about pistols.  ;D
I own lot's of pistols that have 10k plus on them, and they all still look like new.
I don't think that a "2000 round pistol" would last very long in the marketplace.   ::)

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: Richard S on August 05, 2009, 10:35:02 AM

Well said, gentlemen!

Routine maintenance is indeed the key to reliability in a pistol such as the R9 which has expanded the previously known envelope for its caliber. These R9s are CNC machined masterpieces of design, not loose assemblages of stamped metal parts. I liken the regular cleaning and routine maintenance (including the scheduled changing of recoil springs) in my R9 to the regular cleaning and routine maintenance (including the scheduled changing of motor oil) in my 1993 Dodge Stealth. (And as of this morning that Stealth has 207,308 miles on the odometer -- fifth set of tires, original engine.)

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: theirishguard on August 05, 2009, 12:55:21 PM

I have a couple of customers with over 5000 rounds thru their R9s and no problems.  This little 9mm  powerhouse will keep you and yours safe and secure.  Tom

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: Reinz on August 05, 2009, 08:51:18 PM

Previous posters said it all as far as the trigger; now as far as gunshop employees-  that's another issue.

Just because someone works at or even owns a gunshop does not make them an expert on every gun out there.
And  with individuals I have run into, any gun.

They could have confused the trigger with the recoil spring, and changing recoil springs between every other or so cleaning is nothing.

You did the right thing coming to this forum.

Trust me, coming from a bona fide gun addict, you will be very pleased with the R9 and can stake your life on it.

Reinz

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: theirishguard on August 06, 2009, 11:36:04 AM

it's tough enough to save your life.   Tom,

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: tracker on August 06, 2009, 01:02:30 PM

and also someone else close to you.

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: ACP on August 06, 2009, 01:32:58 PM

Just found this string. Wow; I can't improve on what our forum heavyweights have already said. However, I can't imagine shooting thousands of rounds through any of my R9s. Not because I don't trust the R9 as much as I follow the factory recommendation to carry much and shoot little.

I have the good fortune to live in a sparsely populated rural pro-gun state (after years of suffering in NJ). I usually shoot a clip of ammo out of my R9 a week and I can do so ad hoc by simply pulling off on a given country road.

What is shocking to me is that the gun shop employee criticized the trigger which, for me, is one of the R9s great assets. Is the guy in the gun shop related to senator schumer? Did he vote for obama? Does he have the title "czar" next to his name?

Title: Re: How tough is this rohrbaugh 9mm gun
Post by: bnightrider on August 07, 2009, 12:09:55 AM

True that ACP.  After coming back stateside - I was glad to give up WI state residency for Virginia.  I loved WI and loved our "sportsmanship" with regards to hunting.  Amazing to me that WI joined IL as being a black state.  MD might as well be too.  I make it a point to drive around MD in my travels.  Sorry for the wrong answer on this thread - I am new owner myself and can't speak the truth (yet).  But take it from the great minds on this forum and think you will realized that the R-9 is a true piece of defendersmanship.